2026 Michelin Guide Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara: The Kansai Region's First Selected Restaurant and Bib Gourmand Award Ceremony
On June 17, 2026, a grand ceremony was held in the grand ballroom of The Ritz-Carlton, Osaka, marking the first time in the Kansai region that a plaque presentation ceremony was organized specifically for 'Selected Restaurants' and 'Bib Gourmand Restaurants'. Hosted by OMAKASE, the event celebrated the diverse excellence within the Michelin Guide ecosystem.
The Kansai Region's First Michelin Selected & Bib Gourmand Award Ceremony
This event was organized by official Michelin partner OMAKASE (JapanEatinerary). Leading chefs from the Kansai region—Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara—along with restaurant industry leaders gathered together to witness this significant moment celebrating the region's culinary excellence.
It was OMAKASE that created this platform, bringing to life the Michelin Guide's philosophy—"Michelin recommendations extend beyond Starred restaurants"—and bringing this recognition to the Kansai region for the first time.
Understanding Michelin's Classifications
Beyond the widely recognized one, two, and three-star ratings, the Michelin restaurant evaluation system includes other noteworthy indicators.
Selected restaurants are establishments recognized for providing high-quality cuisine worthy of Michelin recommendation. These restaurants represent culinary excellence across diverse styles and price points.
Bib Gourmand restaurants are establishments offering exceptional value dining experiences—providing satisfaction that exceeds their price point. These restaurants showcase quality cooking at accessible prices, representing the best value dining choices.
Scenes from the Award Plaque Presentation Ceremony
The Michelin Guide Osaka & Kyoto 2026 and Michelin Guide Nara 2026 collectively feature 239 Selected restaurants and 117 Bib Gourmand restaurants. During the ceremony, award plaques were presented to newly listed establishments, including 37 newly certified Selected restaurants and 12 newly certified Bib Gourmand restaurants. The plaque presentation was conducted by OMAKASE Vice President Fukai.
Book Michelin Restaurants in Japan with OMAKASE
Many restaurants featured in the Michelin Guide can be booked through OMAKASE JapanEatinerary. As an official Michelin partner, OMAKASE operates two services: "Omakase" and "JapanEatinerary", supporting reservation services across diverse dining genres.
Currently in 2026, 13 out of the 20 three-star restaurants in Japan (65%) and 34 out of the 61 two-star restaurants (56%) can be booked through OMAKASE's services. As the reservation service with access to the most Michelin-starred restaurants, OMAKASE ensures that travelers visiting Japan can confidently make their reservations.
We welcome you to use our services for restaurant selection and reservations in Japan.
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